US
October 1966- Label and catalog number
- Chess LPS-1508
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
TR4S-6599-1ARunout side A
TR4S-6600-1Runout side B
Vinyl pressings
The Real Folk Blues
by John Lee Hooker · 1966
31 pressings13 countriesCountry BluesChicago BluesBlues
The Real Folk Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Real Folk Blues
13 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
US
1966- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP-1508
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
TR4M-6597-1A LP 1508 S-1Side A Runout
TR4M-6598-1A LP-1508 S-2Side B Runout
TR4M-6597Side A Label
TR4M-6598Side B Label
US
1966- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP-1508
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
TR4M-6597-1A LP1508 S-1 X͟ 14873Side A, runout
TR4M-6598-1A LP-1508 S-2 X͟ 14874Side B, runout
14873Side A, label
14874Side B, label
US
1966- Label and catalog number
- Checker LPS-1508Chess LPS-1508
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
TR4S-6599-1ARunout side A
TR4S-6600-1Runout side B
US
1966- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP-1508
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
US
1966- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP-1508
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Monophonic
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 31 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | Chess CHLS246 / Chess CHLS-246First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | Chess LP-1508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1966 | New Zealand | Chess CHLS 1002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Chess CRL 4527First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess LP-1508First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess LP-1508First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess LP-1508First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Checker LPS-1508 / Chess LPS-1508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Chess LP-1508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Chess LP-1508First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess LPS-1508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Australia | Chess CHLS246First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Chess LPS-1508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Unknown | Chess S-1508LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Chess International MAR S-3094 / Chess LP S-1508LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
1980s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Chess 515009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | France | Chess 515009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | Chess 2221829 / PGP RTB 2221829LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | Chess PLP-837 / P-Vine Special PLP-837LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | France | Chess 515009LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1986 | Finland | Chess CHESS-LP 107LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1987 | UK | Chess CH-9271 / MCA Records CH-9271LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Chess CH-9271 / MCA Records CH-9271LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Chess CH-9271 / MCA Records CH-9271LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Brazil | Chess 670 9036 / Chess 00677LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1990s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | US | Alto Analogue AA 007LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1997 | US | Alto Analogue AA 007LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Dol ZDOL15PLP, Album, Mispress, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Mispress, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 2013 | Europe | DOL DOL1508LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Worldwide | Chess LPS 1508 / Chess 199957307116LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Chess LPS-1508LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Let's Go Out Tonight7:05
- A2Peace Lovin' Man3:48
- A3Stella Mae2:59
- A4I Put My Trust In You5:15
- B1I'm In The Mood2:41
- B2You Know, I Know3:46
- B3I'll Never Trust Your Love Again3:20
- B4One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer2:58
- B5The Waterfront5:25
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Real Folk Blues are there?
31 vinyl pressings of The Real Folk Blues are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1966 and 2026.
When was The Real Folk Blues first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chess LPS-1508, released October 1966.
How do I tell if my copy of The Real Folk Blues is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS-1508, LP-1508, CRL 4527, CHLS246) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TR4S-6599-1A and TR4S-6600-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Real Folk Blues on vinyl worth?
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
